Looking for rock for lapidary and specimens (cheap stuff )
Sept 4, 2014 23:10:56 GMT -5
gemfeller likes this
Post by gingerkid on Sept 4, 2014 23:10:56 GMT -5
glennz01, hold yer hosses! I know you are rarin' to go and sell materials to help pay for your lapidary expenses, but you need to set up that darned cabbing machine first! 
Have you researched any prices online for the materials you have collected, such as the red jasper and flint found in your area? the prehnite or that cool picture jasper with quartz/agate that your friends gave to you?
Sure hope Geoff reads your inquiries and maybe make suggestions on what you might could sell your self-collected materials for since he collects and is in Alaska.
Since I'm addicted to gemstones and minerals, a friend of mine gave me an awesome opportunity. I cab his materials, and he allows me to select what items he has in stock, such as mineral specimens and gemstones.
My cabbing 'skills' are worth about 10 dollars per cab no matter what the material or size of the cab -> he made the suggestion of what I should get for my cabs ($10/cab) due to my experience, or 'lack of experience.' For example, if I produce 10 cabs from his materials, then I get to select 100 dollars worth of materials for trade.
Even though I have to pay for my supplies (diamond paste, belts, poly pads, etc...), it gives me the opportunity to cab materials I'm not familiar with and gives me experience - and I get some kick arse trades.
Selling cabs isn't working too well for me. So, to answer your question if you should take into consideration if time and supplies should be figured into your prices, I would have to say no until you're able to sell. (? that doesn't even make sense, lol)
Since winter is approaching in your area, you may want to create an inventory of cabs, slabs, tumbles, pendants, etc... and sell them at arts and crafts shows in your area (edited to add...) this summer, and continue selling the tumbles to stores and items such as your specimens, etc... You could also purchase lapidary rough, for example, a huge chunk of Deshutes jasper, slab it and sell the slabs. A friend of mine used to slab materials on Facebook and did very well. Try to keep in mind that some times of the years sales will be slow.
Have you researched any prices online for the materials you have collected, such as the red jasper and flint found in your area? the prehnite or that cool picture jasper with quartz/agate that your friends gave to you?
Sure hope Geoff reads your inquiries and maybe make suggestions on what you might could sell your self-collected materials for since he collects and is in Alaska.
Since I'm addicted to gemstones and minerals, a friend of mine gave me an awesome opportunity. I cab his materials, and he allows me to select what items he has in stock, such as mineral specimens and gemstones.
My cabbing 'skills' are worth about 10 dollars per cab no matter what the material or size of the cab -> he made the suggestion of what I should get for my cabs ($10/cab) due to my experience, or 'lack of experience.' For example, if I produce 10 cabs from his materials, then I get to select 100 dollars worth of materials for trade.
Even though I have to pay for my supplies (diamond paste, belts, poly pads, etc...), it gives me the opportunity to cab materials I'm not familiar with and gives me experience - and I get some kick arse trades.
Selling cabs isn't working too well for me. So, to answer your question if you should take into consideration if time and supplies should be figured into your prices, I would have to say no until you're able to sell. (? that doesn't even make sense, lol)
Since winter is approaching in your area, you may want to create an inventory of cabs, slabs, tumbles, pendants, etc... and sell them at arts and crafts shows in your area (edited to add...) this summer, and continue selling the tumbles to stores and items such as your specimens, etc... You could also purchase lapidary rough, for example, a huge chunk of Deshutes jasper, slab it and sell the slabs. A friend of mine used to slab materials on Facebook and did very well. Try to keep in mind that some times of the years sales will be slow.
